AnnMarie Anthony

Originally from Long Island, I taught middle school E.L.A. in NY for five years before moving to NC four years ago, where I have continued to teach middle school E.L.A. Currently, I teach 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. I find my current teaching assignment particularly rewarding and challenging because I am the sole E.L.A. teacher in my school. As a result, I loop with these students and teach them each year from their fifth grade year through their eighth grade year.

I graduated from S.U.N.Y (State University of New York) Cortland in 2002 with a B.A. in English Education and a Minor in Psychology of the Exceptional Child. In 2007 I completed my M.A. in English, also through S.U.N.Y. Cortland. In the summer of 2010 I was extremely fortunate to participate in the Capital Area Writing Project (CAWP) through N.C. State, which has forever changed the ways in which I teach writing and successfully incorporate the writing process in my classroom.

I was inspired to write the poem "Pilgrimage" after visiting the Westminster Cathedral in London. Words express how moving this experience was for me, and through "Pilgrimage" I hope to share some of the exquisite wonders I beheld that day. -Animoto/ Poetic Writing Piece

Spontaneous Sensory Monologue . . .Peacefully sitting in a burgundy cushioned chair at a small, round, brown wood table while the steam from my latte swirls up from a tall, clear glass with an exaggerated handle. A thin white plate has been positioned underneath, and a long silver spoon rests beside the red napkin. Soft strumming of the guitar can be heard on a radio- a soothing folksong. I look through the windows at the overcast skies. The clouds begin to weep ever so gently. She sings, "You are not alone" over and over again. But I am. And I couldn't be more content. A sudden whoosh and jarring screech begins, the froth building up. As quickly as it starts, it stops. I feel so free, so alive, so blessed.- Expressive Writing

The Glog below features a poem accompanied by a photo I captured at the cemetery adjacent to St. Nicholas Church on the Chawton House Estate. Can you spot my subtle homage to Poe, the subject of the piece?

Friendship takes flight in lavender fields . . . - Six word story

Elderly Mother and Middle Aged Daughter DuologExpressive WritingMum: Where's the bus? It's not coming! (She stabs her brown cane into the black pavement. The bench below her creaks. The early morning sun is rising. She wears a heavy grey sweater with giant black buttons. Knitting sits next to her in a large shopper's bag. Her daughter is seated beside her.)

Daughter: It'll be here, Mum. Don't get yourself upset. (The daughter is thumbing a magazine, reading, while attempting to assure her mother.)

Mum: (To another would-be passenger, a young woman with wavy brunette hair, waiting for the bus) You just watch! We've missed it! We'll all miss our flights now!

Daughter: (Finally putting down her magazine) Mummy! Stop that! Stop scaring the lady! (She again picks up her reading. Suddenly a loud bus emerges from around the corner. Rail Air is emblazoned on the side.)Mum: Help me! I can't put in my transparent bag! (The brunette looks on, bewildered.)

Daughter: (Dismissing her Mum's comment) I've got your stick- so you can't hit anyone with it! (The daughter approaches the bus with her Mum's cane in her left hand while wheeling an orange and black carry-on sized luggage with her right.)

Mum: Give me my stick! (Indignantly, as they climb the steps into the bus.)

Daughter: You can't take it on the plane, Mummy. (The bus driver is shouting for passengers to fasten their seat belts. Both Mum and daughter take their seats. The daughter turns to the would-be passenger from earlier, who is now seated behind them. A punk rocker boy all of 18 walks past, looking as though he hasn't slept in days. The bus engine growls.) Excuse me, my Mummy's a bit confused.

Dear
Devotees of all things Austen,July 7, 2011What if Jane Austen could be transported to
modern days?All of today’s technologies
would be at her fingertips.Imagine, if
you will, a writer whose career spanned the 18th and 19th
centuries having access to the World Wide Web, Skype, blogs, voice threads, and
You Tube?Imagine, to her delight,
sending a letter electronically- and receiving a response within an hour, not a
month?Would these unparalleled gateways
change our Jane’s writing ability or subject matter? I don’t
think Jane would stay a Luddite very long if beamed to our times, a la The Time
Machine (sans Elois and Morlocks- primarily just Republicans and Democrats).I believe Jane would use many of today’s communication
technologies to her advantage in a way that balances her love of writing with
her desire for privacy.Furthermore,
perhaps being as shy and dotty about her family as she was, her love life
wouldn’t be all lost, either.eHarmony,
anyone?I believe Jane would take to blogging
religiously, loving the ability to communicate with others through writing and
having the ability to publish her thoughts for an audience that reciprocates
polite communication and common interests. I envision Jane publishing her novels not only
in paperback, but also in eBook format. She would support and encourage reading no
matter the medium.Despite proving
herself accessible, she would still remain a private person and elude the
paparazzi.She would find it
entertaining to watch video posts online, but I doubt she would want to leave
that sort of digital footprint manageable to the world, as it lacks the element
of discretion of which she was (is?) so fond. I’m willing to bet she would experience
tremendous success through amazon and Café Press, gaining worldwide notoriety
and financial security, not that there is anything wrong with that, of
course.She would balance this global
fame with donating a chunk of her profits to goodwill charities, I am
sure.In fact, Angelina had better move
over- I detect a new Ambassador on the horizon.However, Janeites, despair not.I believe the 21st century would
not alter the very foundations of her stories, but rather provide us with
multiple platforms to choose how, when, and where we would ensconce ourselves
in a good old J. Austen read.Of course
the details and settings in her newest stories would reflect the fresh landscape
she would now so aptly view, but her painstaking development of characters
would not change.Her comedic timing,
her irony, the familial relations- whether strained or strong- would remain
steadfast.Why?Because any person with sensibility will
concur: Jane Austen is indeed an extraordinary writer, and nothing compromises
her sort of talent.- Fellow Janeite

The Globe Mysteries- Expository Writing

After a much anticipated wait, I finally made it to The Globe! Although I was hoping to watch a performance of Anne Boleyn or All's Well that End's Well, I instead "settled" to watch The Globe Mysteries. I must admit, I was initially thrilled to know I would experience a play at the infamous theatre and didn't expect too much from this unknown piece, but I couldn't have been more surprised. The play was a perfect blend of humor and piety. The play, which focused on biblical stories and the life of Jesus was really quite funny while simultaneously reminding us all that we are here on earth to care for and respect one another. The performers were amazing and their performances were fresh- not the same old routine one might expect from a play that performed bible stories that are thousands of years old. Although the original Globe was destroyed in a fire, a replica was built, which is the Globe we have come to know today. Seating is provided on long wooden benches and can be in a covered or non-covered section (hope for sunshine if you opt for non-covered seating!). Then there is, of course, groundling "seats" if you will- which really aren't seats at all. Groundlings stand at the foot of the stage for the entire performance. I thought it was interesting that the theatre allowed patrons to bring in drinks and food to consume while the play was being performed. I opted to buy lovely fresh strawberries with fresh cream. They were absolutely delicious! Seated cushion are also available to rent so that one might find the wooden benches more comfortable, but I did not bother with such luxuries. By the end of the performance I found myself standing in applause, not wanting the show to end. If only I could return to The Globe for one last showing . . .

So . . .

"Where do the tablets go, again?"One of many, many, many questions I asked repeatedly to a very helpful student from Cyprus in the laundrette while at Surrey.